JOIN USThe power situation in Delhi worsened further on Friday as state-run NHPC stopped supplying 200 MW to Reliance Infrastructure-backed discom BSES for failing to pay outstanding dues to the tune of over Rs 200 crore.
The cut in supply came as electricity demand on Friday touched an all-time high of 5,330 MW. Contrary to BSES’ claim that the cut did not result in any shortage, the areas where the company distributes power faced load shedding for varying duration.
Officials said NHPC has cut supply from Thursday-Friday midnight and BSES was trying to persuade the power generation company to restore supply. They said BSES owes Rs 225 crore to NHPC.
The cut in supply came a day after two power generation companies of Delhi government and Damodar Valley Corporation (DVC) told the discom to pay over Rs 1,600 crore in dues.
DVC has threatened to snap power supply to BSES. A BSES spokesperson said it had signed an agreement with NHPC in April, 2012 for liquidation of outstanding dues. The company had paid Rs 45 crore to the power generation firm and the remaining Rs 225 crore was to be paid in 10 equal instalments.
‘Pay by instalments’
He said BSES paid the first instalment of Rs 23 crore on Wednesday, and there was a delay of 20 days in paying the instalment for May, which was communicated to NHPC.
“While attempts to normalise the situation have been initiated, we have once again requested NHPC to take a more pragmatic view of the situation and withdraw regulation of power,” said the spokesperson.
Senior Delhi Government officials said it was an issue between BSES and NHPC, but indicated that they will try to resolve the dispute between the two companies so that the city does not face power shortage in the blistering heat.
Sources said chief minister Sheila Dikshit has also asked senior officials to look into the issue and ensure that people do not have to face any inconvenience.